SLO Film Fest’s “SLOMTV” night brings music to the big screen
Filmmakers from all over the country gathered on the red carpet at the SLO Film Fest’s “SLOMTV: Music Video Showcase” on Wednesday to watch their videos on the big screen and enjoy the stunning scenery of San Luis Obispo.
The event was filled with laughter, heartbreak and a genuine love for music. Live performances from Caleb Nichols, Connect the Coast, The Honeyboys and Peaking Lights had the crowd on their feet while the music videos captured their attention on the Fremont Theater’s screen.
Connect the Coast on-stage for the first hip-hop performance in the history of the SLO Film Festival. | Aidan Dillon
The night kicked off with a red carpet in the theater lobby where filmmakers spoke about their films, had their photos taken and shared their thoughts on the festival.
Shawn Knol, director of the polarized light videography music video “Circle 12,” attended the event with his wife and the music video producer Sarah Salinas. Knol was particularly excited about the SLO Film Fest because he had the opportunity to see his video in a nostalgic place.
In kindergarten, Knol went to the Fremont Theater and remembers it as his first real cinema experience. He recalled looking up at the lobby ceiling and being amazed.
“It is really cool to come here and show my film in that same place,” Knol said. “It’s personal, too. That’s a magical feeling.”
Jonathan Bareford, musician and producer of the music video “Clear,” said he was inspired after exploring San Luis Obispo, discovering some potential filming locations.
“[Scenic locations] get me creatively inspired, and any other films that I’m producing as well make me want to submit to this festival to keep coming back,” Bareford said.
The “Clear” team — consisting of Bareford, drummer Elijah Stanley, actor Cheikh MBow and production assistant Dario Garcia — saw the film festival as a way to close the chapter of their video-making adventure.
They said the making of the video was physically taxing. For example, Bareford got frostbite. Watching it on the big screen was the closure they needed.
“It didn’t feel real while we were out there, and sometimes when we view the video at home, it doesn’t feel real,” Bareford said before the screening. “Maybe seeing it on a big screen will finally take me right back.”
Musician and director Andrea Diaz and director of photography and editor Dani Gros said they were enchanted by SLO County and its green hills. They were excited for the audience to see their music video, “Wilderness,” in the theater and curious to see what kinds of reactions their haunting, fairytale-like video would evoke.
“I hope that they love it, but I also hope it makes them consider their own emotional states and maybe the ways in which people can remake themselves or reconsider their identities,” Diaz said.
Director Jill Sachs, director of photography Allie Schultz and editor Joey Scoma created the music video for “Bones,” a song by the Australian-based band Telenova. Sachs knew she had to direct the video for “Bones” after hearing it on the radio and feeling inspired by its lyrics and overall sound.
Sachs and Telenova lead singer Angeline Armstrong bonded over their mothers being Filipino immigrants and focused the video on what it’s like trying to fit into a world where being blonde is the goal.
“I love to see it on the big screen,” Sachs said. “It’s very cinematic.”
After the audience took their seats and watched a few of the featured music videos, the moderator announced the music video awards.
“Ramon,” by director Katie Neville, director of photography Jason Kaiser and musician Caleb Nichols won the Best Local Video award. “Bones” won the Best Music Video of 2023, and during their acceptance speech, Sachs explained to the audience the heart and soul of the video.
“We wanted to make something that was about that dream world that we can’t quite live up to,” she said.
SLOMTV brought a touch of musical magic to the Fremont Theater, with its combination of electric live performances and visually stunning music videos. For more information about the individual films, check out this article. For a look at SLO Film Fest’s “Make Waves Film Fest,” click here.
